I am a part-time resident of Durango and am concerned about safety on the river trail, just north of the sewage treatment plant.
The southbound lane on U.S. 550 is higher than the path, with no guard rail and a speed limit of 50 mph. A car going off the road here would be very dangerous to anyone on the path at that moment.
Since the trail is so close to the road, there would be little time to react, especially if walking or riding the same direction as a vehicle. CDOT should consider extending the guardrail south to where the trail breaks off, away from the highway.
We had a terrible accident, in a similar situation, in my hometown of Buffalo. We have a very popular trail close to a high-speed highway. A driver fell asleep during the day, went off the road, killed a two-year-old and injured others on the trail.
The speed limit was immediately reduced and a permanent guard rail has since been installed. It would be terrible to have an accident force some action here.
Extend the guardrail!
Tom Charnock
Durango/Buffalo N.Y.
